Who can take Foundayo? Under its UK licence, Foundayo (orforglipron) is for adults with a starting BMI of 30 or more, or 27 to under 30 with at least one weight-related condition, used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. It is also licensed for adults whose type 2 diabetes is not well controlled. It is not for anyone under 18, and it should not be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This guide follows the Foundayo Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and patient information leaflet on the emc, and the MHRA's announcement of its authorisation on 10 August 2026. It is information only, not medical advice: Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine, and a qualified prescriber decides whether it suits you.
Who can take Foundayo for weight management?
The SmPC sets out the weight-management licence: Foundayo is for weight loss and keeping it off, as "an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity". The licence covers adults whose BMI at the start of treatment falls in one of these bands:
| Starting BMI | What else the licence needs |
|---|---|
| 30 kg/m² or more (obesity) | Nothing further |
| 27 to under 30 kg/m² (overweight) | At least one weight-related condition, for example prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia), obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease |
| Under 27 kg/m² | Outside the weight-management licence |
- Your starting BMI is what counts. Whether to continue as your weight falls is for your prescriber to review.
- The conditions are examples. The SmPC introduces its list with "e.g.", and the leaflet spells out cardiovascular disease as impaired heart function or a history of heart attack, stroke or blood vessel problems.
- Diet and activity are part of the licence, not optional extras.
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared; the NHS has a BMI calculator for adults.
Type 2 diabetes: the second licensed use
Foundayo is also licensed for adults whose type 2 diabetes is not adequately controlled, to improve blood sugar alongside diet and exercise, either on its own or with other diabetes medicines. This use sets no BMI threshold. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea (another diabetes medicine), the risk of low blood sugar may be higher, and the SmPC says a lower dose of those may be considered; metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors can continue at their current dose.
Age limits: adults only, with no upper limit
Both uses are for adults. The leaflet says Foundayo should not be given to anyone under 18 because it has not been studied in that age group. The licence sets no upper age limit and no dose change based on age, though the SmPC notes very limited data in people aged 85 and over.
Who should not take Foundayo
The label's only formal contraindication is an allergy to orforglipron or any of the tablet's other ingredients. Other situations carry firm wording:
| Situation | What the UK label says |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Should not be used; stop if you become pregnant |
| Planning a pregnancy | Stop at least 3 weeks beforehand, because of how long orforglipron stays in the body |
| Breastfeeding | Should not be used; it is not known whether it passes into breast milk |
| Severe liver impairment | Not recommended (no dose change for mild or moderate) |
| The most severe heart failure (NYHA class IV) | Not recommended; there is no experience in this group |
Effective contraception is advised throughout treatment. The contraceptive pill may be less reliable for 30 days after starting and after each dose increase, so the leaflet suggests adding a barrier method or switching to a non-oral method for those windows.
Conditions to raise before you start
These do not automatically rule Foundayo out, but the leaflet asks you to talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist first, and the SmPC gives most of the reasons:
- Pancreatitis, now or in the past: not studied in this group, so used with caution.
- Severe digestive problems, including severe gastroparesis: not studied, so used with caution.
- Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy or macular oedema): a rapid improvement in blood sugar has been linked to temporary worsening of retinopathy.
- Kidney problems: no dose change is needed, but vomiting and diarrhoea can dehydrate you and strain the kidneys, so the leaflet stresses drinking enough fluids.
- Gallbladder problems, such as upper stomach pain or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Blood pressure medicines: low blood pressure was more frequent alongside them, and their dose may need changing.
- Severe heart failure, now or in the past.
- Planned surgery under anaesthesia: the leaflet warns that food or liquid getting into the lungs may be more likely during surgery or other procedures.
Some other medicines change how much orforglipron reaches your blood, and Foundayo affects some of theirs; our guide to Foundayo drug interactions has the detail.
Foundayo is a black-triangle medicine under additional monitoring. Report any suspected side effect to your prescriber or pharmacist and through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme; our side effects page covers what to watch for.
How a prescriber decides whether Foundayo suits you
A prescriber can consider anyone who fits the licence, but is not obliged to prescribe. Because eligibility rests on your starting BMI and your health, expect questions about your height and weight, medical history, other medicines and any pregnancy plans. If Foundayo is prescribed, the prescriber sets the dose and when it rises; our dosage page and guide to how to take Foundayo cover that.
The MHRA says GLP-1 medicines can only be obtained from a registered pharmacy with a prescription, and warns that buying them from unregulated sellers carries serious health risks. Private prices vary between regulated providers; this site names no providers and quotes no prices.
Foundayo is not available on the NHS: NICE is appraising it for overweight and obesity (ID6516), with guidance provisionally expected on 27 January 2027, as our guide to Foundayo on the NHS explains.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Foundayo if my BMI is under 30?
Possibly. The weight-management licence covers a starting BMI of 27 to under 30 with at least one weight-related condition, such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease. Below 27 it does not apply, though the separate type 2 diabetes licence has no BMI threshold.
Can I take Foundayo while trying for a baby?
No. The UK label says Foundayo should not be used in pregnancy and should be stopped at least three weeks before a planned pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop and speak to your prescriber.
Can I take Foundayo if I have had pancreatitis?
It is not an automatic bar, but Foundayo has not been studied in people with a history of pancreatitis, so the SmPC says to use it with caution. If pancreatitis is suspected during treatment it is stopped, and it is not restarted if confirmed.
Can a prescriber refuse Foundayo even if I meet the BMI criteria?
Yes. The licence sets who can be considered, not who must be prescribed. A prescriber weighs your medical history, other medicines and pregnancy plans, and may decide Foundayo is not appropriate for you.
More answers are on our FAQ page, and our UK availability page tracks the licence and NHS position.
Sources
- Foundayo film-coated tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics (sections 4.1 to 4.6). electronic medicines compendium (emc). medicines.org.uk
- Foundayo film-coated tablets — Patient Information Leaflet (sections 1, 2 and 4). emc. medicines.org.uk
- MHRA. UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes, 10 August 2026. gov.uk
- NICE. Orforglipron for managing overweight and obesity [ID6516] (checked 19 October 2026). nice.org.uk
- NHS. Calculate your body mass index (BMI) for adults. nhs.uk
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Yellow Card scheme. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk